Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University: Academics, Admissions & Tuition Info

Research Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA. Learn about its admission info, degree programs and financial aid to make an informed education decision.

About Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University, also known as 'NSU', is a historically black university founded in 1935, during the Great Depression. Today, the 4-year, public school is one of the largest predominantly black institutions in the nation. In the fall of 2011, 89% of undergraduate students were black or African American. However, the school offers associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees to an ethnically and culturally diverse study body.

NSU is located in the midsize city of Norfolk, VA, which is part of the Hampton Roads area of the state. Hampton Roads includes the cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton and Newport News. The area also serves as a hub for the U.S. military, including the Air Force, Navy and Army.

Academics

For undergraduates, NSU offers two associate degree programs as well as bachelor's degree programs in 30 disciplines. The school offers 16 master's degrees and three doctoral degree programs for graduate students

The School of Business gives NSU the distinction of being one of the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to be accredited by AACSB-International, the field's premier accrediting body. NSU is also the only HBCU to offer an Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program, in which students serve as consultants for prospective entrepreneurs and local businesses. In addition to traditional campus offerings, Norfolk State's School of Extended Learning provides distance education, continuing education and certificate program options.

The Lyman Beecher Brooks Library offers resources for student research and houses the Harrison B. Wilson Archives. The library also features the Lois E. Woods Museum, which showcases the history of Africans worldwide.

The school houses several research centers and institutes at which students can become innovators in fields like biotechnology, modeling, simulation and computing, the arts and the social sciences. Norfolk State University Research Magazine publishes the university's research accomplishments.

Admissions

Prospective students must apply for fall semester admissions by May 31. In 2011, the undergraduate application fee was $45. All applicants must have graduated high school with at least 2.3 GPA. Students under 21 are required to submit SAT or ACT scores (a minimum combined score of 800 critical reading and math required for SAT and composite score of 17 required for ACT), two letters of recommendation and a medical history form signed by a physician. Credits from International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement Programs (AP) may be accepted. Some majors, including those in the School of Business, have additional admission requirements.

Tuition & Financial Aid

In 2012, the per semester estimated cost to attend NSU was $3,430 for in-state and $10,180 for out-of-state undergraduate students. At that same time, tuition, room and board was $7,495 for in-state and $14,245 for out-of-state undergraduate students per semester. Estimated book and supply expenses for the 2012 academic year for all students was $1,671.

The majority of NSU students receive some form of financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, student employment or loans. A list of scholarship opportunities is available in NSU's Institutional Scholarship Guide, which is available from the Office of Financial Aid. Most scholarships have an application deadline of March or April, and priority deadline for financial aid is March 15.

NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY QUICK FACTS
School Type	4-year, public*
Degrees Offered	Associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees*
Religious Affiliation	None*
Academic Calendar	Semester**
School Setting	Midsize city*
Student Body	6,264 undergraduate and 827 graduate students in 2011*
Student Housing	Nine residence halls, each with a computer lab, are available*
ACADEMICS
Schools (and/or) Programs	Five schools and colleges;** approximately 50 undergraduate and graduate programs*
Student-Faculty Ratio	19 to 1*
Most Popular Fields of Study by Degree Level (Number of Recipients)	In 2011: Associate's: registered nursing (77) Bachelor's: business/commerce (99) Master's: teacher education and professional development (84) Doctoral: social work (2)*
Undergraduate Graduation Rates	14% in four years 33% in six years 36% in eight years*
ADMISSIONS
Admission Rate	65% in 2011*
Entering Class Size	895 full-time students in 2011*
First-Year Retention Rates	75% (full-time students) 41% (part-time students)*
Average SAT and ACT Score of Admitted Students	400 (critical reading), 390 (math), 380 (writing) SAT scores (25th percentile) 17 composite ACT score (25th percentile)*
Application Due Date	May 15 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester**
TUITION & FINANCIAL AID
Tuition (YEAR)	About $19,000-$20,000 per year (for 2011-2012, includes all estimated student expenses)*
Financial Aid Sources Available (Percent of Students Receiving It)	In 2011: Federal grants (65%) State/local government grant or scholarships (39%) Institutional grants or scholarships (24%) Student loan aid (77%)*
Percent of Students Receiving Some Form of Aid	76%*

'Sources: *National Center for Education Statistics, **Norfolk State University.

School Contact Information

Address: Office of Admissions, Norfolk State University, 700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23504
Phone: (757) 823-8600
Website: www.nsu.edu